US technology giants Microsoft, Google and Apple have asked some of their employees on work visas to postpone international travel plans, as delays in visa stamping at US embassies and consulates look to stretch into months and, in some cases, close to a year. Advisories sent internally over the past few days point to growing uncertainty around US visa processing following new social media and online presence checks for applicants. For thousands of foreign workers who form the backbone of Silicon Valley’s workforce, what was once a routine trip outside the US has now turned into a high-risk decision with career and personal consequences.

Companies including Google, Apple, Microsoft and ServiceNow have warned visa-holding employees that routine visa appointments are being postponed or rescheduled in the future, according to internal communications reviewed by Business Insider. Some employees who had already traveled abroad to seal appointments are now stuck outside the US and unable to return to work as expected.

The situation is particularly stressful for H-1B visa holders, the most commonly used work visa in the US tech sector. Employees whose visa stamp has expired must obtain a new stamp from the US Consulate before re-entering the country. With appointment availability rapidly diminishing, even short personal trips now pose an increasing risk of lengthy stays abroad, sometimes lasting several months.

In a statement to BS, a spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed that it is now conducting “online appearance reviews for applicants”. The department said the visa appointment schedule may continue to vary depending on available resources, although applicants may request expedited appointments on a case-by-case basis.

“While in the past the emphasis may have been on speedy disposal of cases and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates across the world, including India, are now prioritizing thorough scrutiny of each visa case,” the spokesperson said.

India appears to be one of the most affected regions. Immigration law firms say visa stamping appointments in Chennai and Hyderabad are being pushed forward by several months, with some new dates reportedly coming as late as mid-2026. Delays have also been reported in countries such as Ireland and Vietnam, indicating that the slowdown is not limited to one geography.

Microsoft, in particular, has shared detailed guidance with employees through a memo sent by Jack Chen, its associate general counsel for immigration. The company acknowledged that some US consulates have begun rescheduling existing H-1B and H-4 appointments without prior notice, citing operational challenges associated with the new vetting process introduced in mid-December.

The memo cautioned staff that emergency appointments are unlikely to be approved under the current circumstances and advised those who are still in the US to reconsider travel plans if a new visa stamp will be required for re-entry. Employees abroad with already rescheduled appointments have been asked to report their conditions so the company can track patterns and provide targeted guidance.

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Google’s immigration partner, Barry Appleman & Leiden LLP, issued a similar warning, telling employees to report delays of up to 12 months in visa stamping. The firm has advised workers who need new visa stamps to avoid international travel altogether, warning they could face longer stays outside the US.

Apple’s internal immigration team expressed the same concerns and urged employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp to postpone travel wherever possible. Those who must travel have been advised to consult immigration experts in advance to fully understand the risks involved.

Neither company has commented publicly on the advisory.